No ban for Ireland star Furlong after groin-grabbing controversy
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland and Leinster tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has had a foul-play charge arising from an incident involving Munster No. 8 Gavin Coombes unanimously dismissed.
The 33-year-old was cited following Leinster’s URC meeting with Munster on October 24 and subsequently appeared before an independent disciplinary committee via video conference.
*READ: Tadhg Furlong cited over alleged groin-grabbing incident
Furlong had been charged under Law 9.27, which states that “a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship, including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
The disciplinary panel, comprising chair Simon Thomas (Wales), Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Pamela Woodman (Scotland), considered the available evidence before unanimously determining that the charge had not been proven.
The statement read: “Having reviewed all of the evidence and considered the submissions in this case, the Independent Disciplinary Committee unanimously concluded that the citing complaint against the Player should be dismissed, on the basis that he did not commit an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.27.”
“Notwithstanding the dismissal of the complaint, the Independent Disciplinary Committee found that Munster No. 8, Mr Gavin Coombes, had given an honest account of his recollection of events surrounding the incident, and that the Citing Complaint was properly brought before the Independent Disciplinary Committee for determination.”
As a result, the complaint against Furlong was dismissed, and no sanction was imposed.
The experienced front-rower is therefore free to continue playing for both Leinster and Ireland, with no disruption to his availability for upcoming fixtures, including Ireland’s Nations Championship encounter against the Springboks.
Furlong started Leinster’s victory over Munster and remains a key figure for both club and country. There is little doubt that Andy Farrell and his Ireland coaching staff will be breathing a sigh of relief following the ruling.
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